Chapter Two

Leonard

As we entered the bakery, the tall building's lights and smooth jazz music created a warm and inviting atmosphere in the city. As we approached the eatery, the murmurs of the patrons grew louder, and a wave of delightful smells, from freshly baked bread to hot cinnamon rolls, greeted us. The air was filled with the enticing aroma of coffee, and a young server, who appeared to be no older than twenty-four, greeted us with a bright smile. She was expecting as she handed us two extensive menus, radiating happiness as she approached. "Welcome to our bakery. May I show you to your table?" she asked warmly upon reaching us at the entrance.

Grace and I smiled, nodding in response as she led us past the many customers enjoying their pastries and coffee, engaging in conversations, or working on their laptops, all basking in the relaxing atmosphere of the place. Eventually, we arrived at a secluded booth hidden behind a maroon velvet drapery. A single candle illuminated the wooden surroundings, and elegant light sconces emitted a soothing glow, casting a tranquil light over the room. The fragrance of lavender oils lingered in the confined space. We settled into our seats as the hostess handed us a menu. I perused mine in awe, admiring the exquisite dishes listed alongside their corresponding prices. I glanced up at the hostess and requested, "I'll just have a glass of water, please." She maintained eye contact, her smile unwavering, as she took my menu.

Grace examined her menu and remarked, "This place has an extensive selection." She glanced at me. "Have you decided what to order, Leonard?" Passing her menu to the server, she awaited her turn.

"I just ordered a glass of water," I replied.

"We'll have a basket of cinnamon rolls and two Lattes; please cancel the water, and also bring us a plate of cheesecake bites and a couple of slices of pineapple upside-down cake," she said as the server looked at Grace and took down our order with a smile. She nodded her head and excused herself from the booth.

Grace looked around the room and commented, "It's gorgeous here. What do you think, Leonard?"

Even though I wasn't thinking about the surroundings, I responded, "It's beautiful," hoping my words didn't sound hostile. I sighed and continued, "Since you'll be staying with us for a week, we'll have to make some arrangements."

Grace leaned back in her seat, ready to speak, but a cheerful, expectant mother interrupted her. She placed two glasses of water on the wooden table before us. Grace asked, her voice tinged with frustration, "What kind of arrangements?"

As the young woman walked away, I could sense that Grace's annoyance with the server was more than necessary. It almost seemed like she was jealous of her. I let out another sigh.

"Well, first, we must figure out where you'll sleep. With three people in a two-bedroom house, some issues might lead to my landlord kicking me out onto the streets. And honestly, she would find great pleasure in doing so. Would you like my bed and I'll take the couch? The couch folds out into a bed, where Christian's mother sleeps when she visits. Second, we'll need to buy food that you enjoy. You don't strike me as someone who wants microwave dinners three times a day, seven days a week."

"Not really. Maybe you and Chicken Little should invest in some stove-top meals. It might improve your mood." I glanced at her as she extended her hands. "Don't be mad. I was joking. But seriously, you could benefit from some nutritious home-cooked meals now and then. Eating well doesn't harm anyone; last I checked, enjoying fresh food is not a crime. I do like to think I know a thing or two about the law. This leads me to my question: do you know how to cook? You don't seem like you've been having decent meals lately. Are you working so hard to earn money that you neglect your well-being? It seems rather pointless."

"Why do you think we rely on microwave meals? Neither of us has set our home on fire because of our lack of cooking skills, and we're getting better at not burning our food. That's an achievement for both of us. Something we can be proud of. We prefer our food when it's not charred and unappetizing."

Grace leaned forward. "That puts the two of you in a difficult situation. I can cook and clean. You could have someone who loves you and would do anything for you, yet you ran and hid. Is this a matter of pride or a typical behavior for a twenty-seven-year-old man? Sorry, I'm confused."

As Grace's gaze shifted towards the entrance, I studied her as the hostess placed a basket of freshly baked buttery rolls on the table. Grace bit her lower lip, giving a disdainful look to the server as she walked away, completely unaware of the negative energy emanating from the woman sitting across from me. Grace pushed the rolls towards me, leaned back in her chair, crossed her arms, and sighed, biting the inside of her lip. I couldn't help but study Grace's expression. Did the woman across from me think she had some competition? I grinned at the thoughts of becoming a father to children that weren't mine and the thoughts of the fuming woman barely holding it together. "Something wrong, Graceona? You seem hostile. Did that poor girl somehow get on your bad side with zero conversations with you?" I took a drink of my water as Graceona looked at me.

"My problem, Leonard, is that she has been staring at you since we arrived. How else am I supposed to react? Should I pretend to be happy to see another woman looking at the man I planned to marry? Excuse me for having emotions. I don't appreciate it." I continued to observe her. I have heard about love, passion, and fury from married women. However, Grace seemed to be acting crazily towards a man she wasn't even dating or married to, and the woman sitting across from me was hostile for no apparent reason. The pregnant server was not a threat or competition. Marriage is not something I am interested in, let alone settling down. Becoming a father to someone else's children is not on my list. So, if I were interested in marriage, Graceona would undoubtedly be the winner of any competition.

"Marriage? You came all this way, waving the Snickers bar of peace because you want to get married? What happened to going on a date? Is this what you wanted to discuss with me when you said you had things to discuss?" I chuckled. "You can relax. I'm not interested in the server. There's no need to create a competition where none exists."

Grace glanced at me, letting out a sigh. "It seems like she's interested in you," she remarked.

"Well, forming a relationship takes two people. I'm not interested. Her interest in me is one-sided, entirely on her part. Have you ever been obsessed with something you can't have? There are certain things that money can't buy, and my love and relationships aren't based on monetary value. It simply doesn't pique my interest," I explained.

"So, your answer is no to the proposal?" Grace inquired.

"No, you never actually asked. Your hostile behavior gave that away. I don't remember you asking me to marry you. You were getting worked up over someone you felt threatened by, a pregnant girl."

"If I were to ask, would there be a chance for us?" she asked cautiously.

"Eventually, if you can calm down and not get so worked up. I have no issue with marriage. It never even crossed my mind. So, we've discussed why you came here. Do you want to leave and skip eating?"

She glanced at me and said, "I'm following a no-sweets diet."

I replied, "But you ordered that food. Are you not going to eat it? It seems like a waste of money and food."

She leaned back and explained, "It's not a waste. I ordered it for you. I needed to step away and calm down, to get away from Christian. His laziness was getting to me. So, I suggested we leave and come here to eat."

I looked at her, slightly surprised, and said, "I already told you I don't want to get married, and yet you're still spending money on me?"

She shook her head and responded, "I'm not trying to buy anything from you. You said there was hope. I won't give up on you. Getting this food for you is not an attempt to buy anything. You were hungry, and I'm not heartless enough to let someone go hungry when I have the means and time to help."

Just then, the server approached and placed the food on the table. She looked at me and asked, "Can I get you anything else?"

I replied, "No, we're good. My wife and I will be fine. Thank you."

The server turned to Graceona, who looked at me, then at her. With a downed head, she excused herself. I sighed, looking at the food. "You sure you don't want to eat? It looks good. It would be rude if I ate all this by myself."

Graceona continued to gaze at me, seemingly speechless at the words that had come out of my mouth. I sighed and locked eyes with her.